Her Majesty the Queen today announced she was awarding the Queen's Gallantry Medal to a West Midlands Police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

The Queen's Gallantry Medal is the highest award ever to be given to an officer in the West Midlands.

DC Michael Swindells, aged 44, was stabbed in the abdomen as he attended a report of a man armed with a knife in the Aston area of Birmingham. The knife wound penetrated his heart and he died almost immediately.

On 19 May 2005 at Birmingham Crown Court, Glaister Earl Butler was found guilty of the manslaughter of DC Swindells on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He was sentenced to be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee today paid tribute to the bravery of DC Swindells:

"In the police service every day you work with heroes but you do not know it. Every now and then something happens which shows you - and everyone else - there are still heroes around.

"The events surrounding this tragedy highlights the dangers that police officers put themselves in on a daily basis to protect members of the public.

"This officer did the right thing but the end was tragic. Michael's family lost a brave son, father and husband, while colleagues within the police service lost a friend."

The incident surrounding the fatal stabbing took place on 21 May 2004. A council worker had attended a maisonette to carry out routine repair work when he was confronted and threatened by Butler, the occupier of the flat, wielding a large kitchen knife.

The council worker escaped and called the police. As officers gathered nearby they were approached by Butler, who produced the knife and threatened them with it. Butler then used the knife to attack a police dog sent to restrain him and was so frenzied even the use of CS spray failed to subdue him. He suddenly ran off onto a canal towpath under the M6 motorway, pursued by uniformed officers.

DC Swindells, who was on duty in a local CID office, heard the pursuit over his radio and ran towards the incident. As he and his colleagues gave chase along the towpath, DC Swindells shouted at Butler to stop but instead he turned and stabbed the officer in the abdomen, penetrating his heart.

Colleagues pursued Butler for a further two kilometres before firearms officers eventually arrested him following a violent struggle.

"Glaister Butler was clearly a dangerous offender who posed a significant danger to anyone who came into contact with him, especially police officers," said Mr Scott-Lee. "He had already threatened one member of the public and several officers with a knife, as well as attacking a police dog. Knowing these risks, DC Swindells and colleagues joined in the pursuit.

"DC Swindells showed conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. He acted voluntarily and without hesitation and responded out of an immediate sense of duty to protect both his colleagues and the public, who were at serious risk if Butler had escaped.

"I would pay tribute to the many officers involved in the arrest of Butler, who showed exceptional bravery and professionalism. DC Swindells and his colleagues willingly and knowingly put themselves in grave danger in order to protect their fellow officers and members of the public.

"On his application form to join West Midlands Police in 1990, DC Swindells wrote that he wanted "to uphold the country's law and to play his part in making this country safe for everyone". He achieved that ambition by making the ultimate sacrifice - giving his own life while protecting the communities of Aston and the lives of his fellow colleagues," added Mr Paul Scott-Lee.

Paul Tonks, chair of the West Midlands Police Federation, echoed the comments made by Mr Paul Scott-Lee: "It is with a great amount of pride that, on behalf of all federation colleagues within West Midlands Police, we acknowledge today's award of the Queen's Gallantry Medal to our fallen colleague, Mick Swindells.

"Mick Swindells actions on that fateful day of 21 May 2004 epitomised all of the finest traditions of policing and it is gratifying to see that his extreme bravery has rightly been recognised by Her Majesty.

"The Queen's Gallantry Medal is one of the highest bravery awards that can be bestowed upon a police officer.

"Mick's family, his friends and his colleagues will all no doubt share in this honour and they can feel extremely proud and privileged to have known such a fine man whose life and career was so tragically cut short."

Commenting on the award, Michael's wife, Carole, said: "I am very pleased that my husband's bravery has been recognised with this award."